Kai Lehikoinen

Introduction

Dr. Kai Lehikoinen (MA, PhD) is a University Researcher at Uniarts Helsinki's Research Institute. His work explores the intersections of dance pedagogy, socially engaged arts, cultural well-being, and the futures of higher arts education.

His PhD (University of Surrey, 2003), later published by Peter Lang, examined masculinities in Finnish dance education through dance and critical masculinity studies. It revealed how hegemonic masculinity shapes dance education, influencing inclusion, pedagogy, and perceptions of legitimacy in the art form.

His postdoctoral research has taken three main directions:

1) Dance Studies and Pedagogy: Dr. Lehikoinen authored a Finnish monograph on dance analysis and expanded on his doctoral work by studying male dance students’ experiences with masculinity, fear, and peer support (with Isto Turpeinen). He has also studied dance ambassadors in elderly care, connecting their socially engaged practices to evolving pedagogies in arts education.

2) Socially Engaged Arts: He investigates the role of arts in health and care settings, focusing on equality, cultural well-being, shifting professional identities, and cross-sector competencies. This work includes collaborations with Uniarts Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, Åbo Akademi, and University of Chester.

3) Futures of Higher Arts Education: In collaboration with European colleagues, he has integrated creative approaches into futures thinking, developing an arts-based futures workshop model and writing scenarios for higher arts education in Europe.

These three strands converge in his forthcoming book, Creativity, Society, and the Role of Socially Engaged Art in Higher Arts Education (Routledge, August 2025), which explores socially engaged art as a field of study and a key dimension of higher education’s third mission—contributing to society. The book also addresses activism, culture wars, and safer spaces in higher arts education.

Dr. Lehikoinen is currently developing two research initiatives:

• Embodying Futures explores the potential futures of dance pedagogy through the lenses of inclusivity, cultural diversity, digitalization, and social change. Grounded in futures thinking, the project uses qualitative, arts-based, and embodied approaches to reimagine dance education and promote futures consciousness in the field.

• Cultural Well-being and the Conditions for its Materialisation develops an interdisciplinary framework for understanding how participation in the arts and culture can enhance personal and societal well-being.

Dr. Lehikoinen has held key leadership roles, including:
• Vice Director, ArtsEqual (2015–2021)
• Director, CERADA (2015–2021), and Professor in its focus area (2017–2018)
• Principal Investigator, Kolmas Lähde (2008–2010)
• Head of Education and Development, Theatre Academy Helsinki (2009–2012)
• Vice Director, IADE, University of Art and Design Helsinki (2006–2008)
• Senior Lecturer and Head, BA Choreography Programme, University College of Dance, Stockholm (2003–2004)
Dr. Lehikoinen has contributed to several major projects, including FAST45, ArtWell, Artwork, TAFI, Creative Person-centred Care Art, and Quality of Life – Creative Pathways for Family Learning.

He also serves in multiple editorial and advisory roles:
• Representative Board Member, ELIA – European League of Institutes of the Arts
• Co-editor, Critical Studies in Dance Leadership and Inclusion (Palgrave Macmillan)
• Review Board Member, Journal of Dance Education
• Topic Editor, Frontiers in Psychology (Health Psychology edition)
• Advisory Board Member, Nordic Journal for Arts, Culture and Health

Through advisory work and research-informed recommendations, he has supported policymaking in arts, health, and well-being—collaborating with ministerial task forces and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

Dr. Lehikoinen’s work is guided by values of ethical and shared leadership, emotional intelligence, and appreciative dialogue, all in service of a more inclusive, responsive, and futures-oriented arts education.

For more information:

linkedin.com/in/kailehikoinen

https://kailehikoinen.academia.edu/

http://www.artsequal.fi/fi

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kai_Lehikoinen

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8198-5854
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